Pregnant women in Lincolnshire are again being urged to have the covid vaccination as latest data reinforces previous findings on the safety of the covid vaccines in pregnancy.

This latest analysis from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that vaccinated women who gave birth between January and October 2021 had a very similar low risk of stillbirth, low birthweight and premature birth compared to those who were not vaccinated in pregnancy.

“The data shows that women who had at least one dose of a covid vaccine during their pregnancy and gave birth between April and October last year were more likely to give birth without any of the reported adverse outcomes than women who had not been vaccinated in pregnancy (92.9% compared with 91.6%) and this difference was more apparent in those women aged 30 and over,” explains Rebecca Neno, Director of Covid and Influenza Vaccination Programmes, NHS Lincolnshire CCG.

“I know there has been a lot of concern amongst both pregnant women and those thinking about getting pregnant as to whether to get vaccinated but the data – including the stillbirth rate, which for vaccinated women who gave birth was approximately 3.6 per 1,000, a similar rate to those women who were not vaccinated in pregnancy (3.9 per 1,000) – supports statements from both the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Royal College of Midwives that there is no evidence to suggest any covid vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, and no evidence they will cause any problems for women wanting to become pregnant.”

Take up of the covid vaccination by pregnant women in the Midlands is 68.9% for the first dose and 62% for the second.

“One of the other things to bear in mind is that severe covid infection significantly increases the risk of harmful outcomes for mothers and their babies.  Everyone working on the vaccination programme understands the concerns of women about having the vaccine in pregnancy, but the evidence for its safety, as well as the dangers of not being protected against covid, are clear and it is important that pregnant women are protected with all their vaccine doses to keep themselves and their baby safe – do not wait until after you have given birth,” emphasises Rebecca.

Across the county, the so-called ‘evergreen’ offer is ongoing, meaning anyone eligible can be vaccinated, whether that’s for a first or second dose, or a booster dose.

“Just as getting vaccinated is vital for pregnant women, getting vaccinated remains vital for all of us and we can see the huge impact the vaccination programme has made, particularly the booster doses, on massively reducing covid-related hospital admissions across the country, including in Lincolnshire,” adds Rebecca.

Over the weekend of 19^th and 20^th March, the Mass Vaccination Centre at the Lincolnshire Showground will be closed due to an event being held at the Showground, however, the vaccinations teams will be busy and out and about vaccinating people at pop-ups over the weekend in Lincoln, including at the Engine Shed, and at the Moorland Community Centre.

The pop-ups listed below allow anyone eligible to have their vaccination on a walk-in basis, including boosters (16 and over) or first and second doses (available to anyone aged 16 and over, as well as 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent):

Saturday 12^th March at Bridge Church, Portland Street, Lincoln LN5 7NN, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Saturday 12^th March at Fenside Community Centre, Taverner Road, Boston PE21 8NL, between 12pm and 7pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Tuesday 15^th March at Wrangle Parish Hall, Church End, Wrangle PE22 9EW, between 10am and 5pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Tuesday 15^th March at Saxilby Village Hall, 34 High Street, Saxilby LN1 2HA, between 11am and 5pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Wednesday 16^th March at Wragby Town Hall, Louth Road, Wragby LN8 5PH, between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Thursday 17^th March at Alford Corn Exchange, 9 Market Place, Alford LN13 9EB, between 10am and 5pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Friday 18^th March at The Ruby Hunt Centre, Church Street, Donington PE11 4UA, between 10am and 5pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Saturday 19^th March at Old Leake Community Centre, Furlongs Lane, Boston PE22 9NX, between 10am and 5pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Saturday 19^th March at Moorland Community Centre, Moorland Avenue, Lincoln LN6 7NH, between 10am and 5pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Sunday 20^th March at Engine Shed, Lincoln LN6 7TS, between 10am and 6pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Sunday 20^th March at Fenside Community Centre, Taverner Road, Boston PE21 8NL between 10am and 4pm, including boosters and first and second doses for anyone eligible (see above) including 12-15 year-olds provided a parent/guardian is present to consent.

Please book as soon as you are called forwards.  For more information on where you can get your vaccination visit our Grab a Jab page.